Triple moting gin



Augs 23, 1960 F. E. DEEMs x-:TALA

TRIPLE MoTING GIN Filed Dec. 8,A 1954 aaien' Patented Aug. 23, i960 LE MOTING GlN Frank E. Deerns and Joe E. Salmon, Birmingham, Ala., assignors to Continental Gin Company, Birmingham, Ala., a corporation of Delaware This invention relates to cotton ginning machinery and in particular to a triple moting cotton gin. An object of this invention is to provide a cotton gin in which there is a triple moting, or separation of motes from the cotton subsequent to they cotton being pulled through the gin ribs.

The desirability of cleaning cotton as much as possible is apparent. The more motes that are removed the higher the price obtained for the cotton. Special equipment is therefore often provided for removing motes from the cotton, however, such equipment is often elaborate and expensive. Another object of this invention is to provide means for effectively separating motes from cotton which is of relatively simple construction.

According to the invention we have provided moting means in -which advantage is taken of the principles of centrifugal force and its effect on mixtures of particles having differing masses.

The use of special cleaning machinery subsequent to the gin saws, for example, in the ilues leading from the gin saws to the condenser has not been wholly satisfactory particularly where reliance on the principles of centrifugal force are concerned. ln this environment there is usually the problem presented of how to prevent backing up of cotton at the gin saws and how to get the cotton to the condenser. This is due in part todisturbing the pressure gradient between` the saws and condenser. To remedy this often. a suction device is. installed at the condenser. This results in an. increased amount of machinery and an increased cost of operation of the gins. Some cleaners are so constructed that evenwhen used separately from the gins a suction means must be used at the condenser in order to have proper action. A separator constructed in accordance with the present invention has none of these undesirable features.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional elevational view through a gin constructed in accordance with the invention.

Similar reference characters in the several views indicate similar parts.

Referring now in particular to the drawings, a gin constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a roll chamber l0, a saw cylinder 12; the latter as is com monly known comprises aV series of spaced saws. The saws cooperate with ribs 14 intermediate the saws. Moting is accomplished by means of mote trough 16 and mote board 18; Mote board 18 is pivoted in the usual manner at 19. The trough and board can be adjusted as is commonly known to effect the maximum degree of separation of motes from the cotton. The motes falling in the trough 16 are swept by a wiper Zllinto the trough 22 wherein they are carried away by conveyor 24. The motes falling into the lower part of the gin 26 can be carried away by any convenient means. This double moting is old. However, the following construction and operation' results in atriplemoting.

In the construction shown in the cylinder is dotted by a brush doffer 23 operating in a casing formed in part by mote trough 16 and mote board 18. The brush doffer rotates in the direction shown by the arrow 30. Cotton dotted otf the saws is swept around the wall of the chamber 32. A second chamber 34 communicates with the chamber 32. The chamber 34 is generally cylindrical in shape and formed by a casing having an upper wall 36 and a lower wall 37. Wall 37 also forms a lower part of the casing forming the chamber 32. 'Ihe sides of the chambers are formed by the gin casings or housing.

Walls 36 and 37 have inner surfaces whichy are spaced from the periphery of an impeller brush cylinder 33. The inner surface of wall 37 within the chamber 34 is substantially concentricl with the cylinder 3S. The inner surface of the wall 36, however, is generally eccentric to the axis of rotation of theimpeller 33;

The impeller forms passages 39 and 41v with the respective walls 36 and 37 of the chamber. As seen in the drawing, the eccentricity of the wall 36 with respect to the impeller brush cylinder 38 results in the inner surface of the wall having a portion 40 which is indicated in the drawing by a bracketed lead line which approaches closer to the periphery of the impeller than the remaining portions of the inner surface of the wall 36. Since the wall 36 extends substantially from the inlet of the chamer 34 to the lint ue leading outwardly from the chainber, below the brush, the portion 40 is intermediate the ends of the wall 36.

The usual pulley and belt means are employed to rotate the saw and brush cylinders. Although the impeller 38, that is illustrated in the drawing, is in the form-of a brush cylinder, it is apparent that other known lint impelling means. can be used. Further, it should be noted. that the impeller brush cylinder comprises a series of spaced vanelike members on the periphery of the. cylinder and that the impeller 38 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 42. The-vane-like members consist of brush strips 43. The outer periphery of this impeller, due to its vane-like structure, forces the cotton to move in a stream within the passage 39 in chamber 34. along the inner surface of wall 36. Due to the eccentricity of the chamber and the fact-that this results in therwall portion 40 being closer to the impeller than therremaining portions of the wall, the passageconverges and is restricted at the wall portion 40 as compared with the remainder ofthe passage'. Accordingly the stream of cotton and air in which the cotton is buoyed or carried must also converge at the wall portion 40.

A mote outlet opening 44 is formed in wall 36 at the wall portion 40. This opening extends laterally across the chamber 34' substantially the full width of the impeller. The impeller 38 is preferably of a width corre# sponding tothe width of the brush 28 andthe saw cylinder v12.

The opening 44 communicates with a mote chamber 48 formed in part `by `a mote slide 49 and a rear wall 5G'. 'Ihe rotating irnpeller forces the stream of cotton, air and trash, including motes, to move through the portion of the chamber defined bythe wall portion 40 and thus past the opening 44. The cotton motes and trash move in a continuously curved path before they pass through the section of the chamber defined by the wall portion 40.

The motes and other trash have a greater mass than drawings the saw the cotton lint and due to the centrifugal force impressed thereon in the movement through the curvilinear passage the motes and trash work their way to the outermost part of the stream within the passage 39. The cotton being under less inuence of centrifugal force, tends to remain closer to the periphery of the impeller and/or is displaced toward the periphery by the motes and trash during its movement through the passage 39.

K The motes and trash are under the iniluence of centrifugal force when they reach the opening 44. The motes and trash being in the outer strata of the stream, move outwardly through the opening 44. The cotton, however, moves across the opening 44 but does not go out through it since it is in the inner strata of the passage. Further, the cotton is subject to an additional influence at opening 44, as set forth hereinafter, which tends to keep the cotton within the chamber 34 while the motes and trash go out through outlet 44.

When the cotton reaches the portion 46 of the wall 36 it will continue around the wall of the chamber between the impeller and the inner surface of the wall and ow out into duct 52,. From duct 52 it is led into the main flue S4 and from the latter to the usual condenser.

The additional torce to which the cotton is subjected at opening 44, as mentioned above, is that due to the inux of air through the opening 44 into the chamber 34. This influx of air is achieved by virtue of the relationship of the impeller with the inner surface of the wall 36,

'and the speed of the impeller. rl`he impeller speed can be selected so that the pressure in the stream at the wall portion 40 is actually below atmospheric.

Normally in gin equipment the cotton moves in a stream from the gin to the condenser at a pressure slightly above atmospheric. However, as stated above, with the instant construction the pressure is reduced at the opening 44.

It should be noted that the decrease in radial cross sectional area of the stream or the convergence or constriction of the stream at the portion 40 creates a venturi-like eifect and the construction is, in fact, venturi-like. According to Bernoulis theory, the speed of the fluid must increase in the converged portion and its pressure will drop. This is what happens within the chamber 34 where the wall 36 gradually approaches the periphery of the impeller leading up to portion 40, and the opening 44, 'in the direction of movement of the stream through the chamber Within passageway 39.

The stream of cotton, therefore, must accelerate through this converging portion of the curvilinear path in order for a given quantity to move through the chamber in a given time assuming there is the same quantity coming out of the chamber as going into it. Otherwise, if within a given time less cotton left the chamber than came into it, the cotton would pack up in front of the opening 44 (to the right as viewed in the drawing) and vthe chamber would soon be filled with cotton. Thus, there must be an increased velocity in the constricted portion of the stream path. The increased velocity results from the acceleration. With an increased velocity there is consequently, a reduction in pressure. The construction and operation is such that the pressure is reduced below atmospheric at the opening 44. Consequently, if .the air in chamber 48 is at atmospheric, additional air will enter the stream of cotton through opening 44 at 60.

The reduction of pressure in the stream of cotton does not adversely aiect the ginning operation. Nor is it necessary to place a vacuum or suction apparatus at the condenser in order to have the cotton ow through the duct S2. Further, in the combination shown the impeller 38 is driven with the rest of the gin operating elements and this obviously can be accomplished without any difficulty.

Dividing wall 56 is positioned in chamber 48 and divides the chamber 48 into upper and lower chamber sections 57 and 58. The motes tend to go in the direction of arrow 59 and incoming air comes in in the direction indicated by arrow 60. The dividing wall divides the opening into mote discharge and air inlet sections. The wall 56 deflects the motes down into the lower chamber section. The chamber 48 is open to the atmosphere, as for example, through the ends of the mote trough 61,

and through louvres 62 in cover 63. Cover 63 forms part of the casing defining chamber 48. The ends 64 and 66 of the divider 56 can be pivotally mounted and adjusted to regulate the flow of the air into the impeller chamber, to regulate the mote discharge opening, and to adjust the mote deflection angle. Any suitable means, such as helicoid conveyor 67 and trough 61, can be used to remove the motes from lower chamber 58.

An opening 68 is provided in impeller chamber 34 and an opening 70 is provided in chamber 32. These openings are for the purpose of introducing air into the respective chambers. The latter openings can be adjusted by means of pivotal flaps 72, 74. A sliding ange 76 is provided on the end of wall 78 of duct 52. The flange can be adjusted with respect to the impeller cylinder to control the passage of cotton into the duct 52. A similar sliding flange 79 is provided on wall 36 adjacent chamber 32 for adjustment with respect to brush 28. Both sliding flanges can be of a construction which is well known in the art.

Wall segment 46 of the casing forming the chamber 34 can be pivotally connected to the main portion of the wall 36 as at S0. There thus can be formed a mote board 82 which can be adjusted in the usual manner. Wall segment 81 can also be pivoted .to the main portion of Wall 36 at 83. Thus adjustment for maximum eiliciency can be easily made. The pivoting construction and controls used are well known mate board structure used in the art. In the operation of the device air is also introduced through opening 84. The opening 44 obviously has leading and trailing edges, and is tangent to the chamber 34.

In a gin constructed in accordance with the invention, the distance X is equal to s/s; the radius R is equal to 9; `the distance Y is equal to 1% at an angle of 45; R is equal to 7%" and the .brush diameter is l5". The brushes or impellers 28 and 38 are spaced apart one inch at their point of closest approach 86. There is obviously a lint passage between the cylindrical portions of the two impellers at the location 86.

By this construction we also provide a venturi-like passage at the point 86. As the stream of airborne lint and motes goes through brush chamber 32, and into brushimpeller chamber 34, its pressure reduces and its speed increases at the point 86. The two brushes rotate in opposite directions with the lint from chamber 32 being passed up between the brushes into chamber 34. There is thus a lint passage between the adjacent peripheries of the brushes.

Both brushes 28 and 38 are impellers in that they impel the lint along its path from .the saws to the condenser.

yFrom the above description it will be apparent that we have devised a separating apparatus for use in separating material heretofore diicult to separate and it is particularly advantageous for use Where streams of material such as lint are moved from one place to another. Further, we have devised a unique form of gin in which there is a much more effective and thorough separation of motes and trash from the lint than heretofore attained.

While we have shown and described a preferred form of our invention, it will be understood that variations in details of form may be made without departure from the invention as dened inthe appended claims. The words lint, cotton, or motes, in the specification and claims are not used to limit the invention to cotton.

We claim:

1. In a centrifugal mote and trash separator for use in separating motes and trash from lint, in combination, .a chamber, said chamber being of generally cylindrical configuration, a rotatable impeller mounted in said charnber comprising a generally cylindrical member having its axis of rotation longitudinally disposed with respect to said chamber, said chamber having an inlet opening for the introduction of a mixture of airborne lint and trash thereto and an outlet opening for the discharge of lint therefrom, said impeller fore-ning a passage with the inner periphery of said chamber, with said lint being movable through said passage, a trash discharge opening intermediate said inlet and said outlet opening with said trash discharge opening being completely clear and unobstructed throughout the length of said chamber, the portion of said passage preceding said trash discharge opening being curved, with said trash discharge opening being tangent the outer periphery of the curved portion of said passage, said impeller lbeing rotatable to move the mixture of airborne lint and trash through said inlet opening and along said passage to said trash `discharge opening for discharging said trash by centrifugal force and to move the lint outwardly through said outlet opening, means for rotating said impeller.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including said opening having ra trailing edge and a plate positioned substantially midway of said opening, said plate extending radially outwardly with respect to said `brush from a point adjacent a plane tangent of said chamber at said leading edge, said plate being substantially coextensive in length with said opening longitudinally of the axis of said brush, said plate being adapted to `deflect the motes discharged through said opening away from said opening.

3. The apparatus of yclaim 1 including said impeller comprising spaced vane-like projecting members extending radially outwardly therefrom and forming spaced air pockets in vbetween said vane-like members, said impeller being operable to move said vanelike members past said mix-ture of lint and trash as said mixture is impelled toward said trash opening.

4. A triple moting gin comprising a saw cylinder, means for moving cotton from said saw cylinder to a condenser comprising in combination means forming a chamber having a peripheral inner wall, said chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a cylinder rotatably mounted in said chamber with the periphery thereof being spaced from said wall and forming a passage with the wall, said wall having an opening therein constituting a mote outlet tangent to said chamber and being completely clear and unobstructed throughout the length of said wall, the portion of said wall adjacent said mote outlet converging toward the center of said cylinder to constrict the portion of said passage immediately preceding said mote outlet in the direction of movement of cotton through said passage, means for rotating said cylinder within said chamber, means on said cylinder adapted to urge a mixture of lint, motes and air along said passage from said inlet toward said outlet, said means for rotating said cylinder being operable to rotate said cylinder at speeds suicient to reduce the pressure of said mixture below atmospheric at said mote outlet when said chamber is exposed to atmospheric pressure on the exterior thereof whereby said lint is retained in said passage and the motes are discharged in a path tangential to said chamber under centrifugal force.

5. The combination of claim 4 including a `dividing wall means extending radially with respect to said cylinder and outwardly of said passage adjacent said cylinder, said wall being positioned substantially midway of said mote outlet with respect to said passage and being substantially coextensive in length with said opening longi- .tudinally of .the axis of said cylinder.

6. The combination of claim 5 including said mote outlet having a trailing edge and a leading edge, said wall being positioned so as to confine motes in said stream striking said leading edge and ricocheting outwardly with respect to said opening, the direction of movement of said mixture of lint, motes and air being such that the lint moves along the wall of said chamber past said trailing edge and then toward said leading edge with said wall dividing said opening into an air inlet section and a trash discharge section with the air inlet section being adjacent said trailing edge and the trash discharge section being adjacent said leading edge.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 including said dividing wall being adjustable in position relative to said opening.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 including said gin comprising a doing means for said saw cylinder, the latter dofling means comprising an impeller means, the latter impeller means being mounted in a chamber, means connecting the second mentioned chamber with the -irst mentioned chamber, the doing means associated with said saw cylinder being rotatable in a direction opposite said cylinder in the iirst mentioned chamber, a lint passage formed between the peripheries of said impeller and said cylinder for the passage of lint from the chamber for said dong means into .the chamber for said cylinder.

9. A centrifugal separator for separating motes from cotton comprising, in combination, means forming a chamber having a peripheral wall, said chamber having a cotton inlet and a cotton outlet, a cylinder rotatably mounted in said chamber, the periphery of said cylinder ybeing spaced from said wall of said chamber and forming a passage with said wall leading from said inlet to said outlet, said wall having a clear and unobstructed mote outlet formed therein intermediate the cotton inlet and cotton outlet with the mote outlet being dened by a traliing edge portion spaced lfrom a leading edge portion, the trailing edge portion of the mote outlet in said wall being tangent to the wall of said chamber, said wall converging inwardly toward the center of rotation of said cylinder immediately adjacent said mote outlet to constrict said passage immediately before said mote outlet in the direction of movement of cotton through said passage, means for rotating said cylinder, means on said cylinder periphery adapted to urge a mixture of lint, motes and air along said passage in the direction of movement of said periphery during rotation of said cylinder, said means for rotating said cylinder being operable to rotate said cylinder periphery at speeds suicient to reduce the pressure in said mixture below atmospheric .at said mote outlet when said chamber is exposed to atmospheric pressure on the exterior thereof.

10. A structure as .called for by claim 9 wherein the leading and trailing edges of the wall deiining the mote outlet are so positioned that the leading edge is disposed radially inward toward said cylinder of a plane tangent to the trailing edge.

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